Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound in Seattle received a report at 4:04 p.m. of a red flare sighted from an Airlift Northwest helicopter crew near the island. Sector watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and the station boatcrew launched.

Airlift Northwest aircrew remained on scene as the station boatcrew recovered the individual who confirmed that he had fired the flare.

Weather on scene was 17 mph winds, with a 48 F air temperature and 52 F water temperature.